JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're getting into backpacking

Backpacking is camping, but you carry everything on your back and sleep somewhere you had to earn. The gear can seem overwhelming — a full kit runs $400–600 — but the actual list of things you need for a safe first trip is shorter than you think. Here's exactly what matters and what can wait.

By Colin B. · Published May 15, 2026 · Last reviewed May 14, 2026
Hiker with backpack on a mountain trail

Photo by Thierry Lemaitre on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. Osprey Atmos AG 50 (Men's) / Aura AG 50 (Women's) — A properly-fitted 50L pack that handles 2–3 night trips without punishing your back.
  2. Kelty Wireless 2 Person Tent — A reliable 3-season tent that's genuinely easy to pitch and light enough to not hate carrying.
  3. TETON Sports LEEF 0°F Ultralight Mummy Sleeping Bag — A 20°F sleeping bag that covers 90% of 3-season conditions without breaking the bank.
Budget total
$350
Typical total
$600
A real backpacking kit costs money. The Big Three — pack, shelter, sleep system — account for most of it. Done right, this gear lasts a decade.
At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
BackpackOspreyOsprey Atmos AG 50 (Men's) / Aura AG 50 (Women's)$$$ See on Amazon →
ShelterKeltyKelty Wireless 2 Person Tent$$ See on Amazon →
Sleep SystemTETON SportsTETON Sports LEEF 0°F Ultralight Mummy Sleeping Bag$$ See on Amazon →
Cooking SystemMSRMSR PocketRocket 2 Stove$$ See on Amazon →
Water TreatmentSawyerSawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System$ See on Amazon →
Navigation & SafetySuuntoSuunto A-10 Field Compass$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Rent before you buy the Big Three. REI, outdoor outfitters, and many gear libraries rent packs, tents, and sleeping bags. A 2-night trip with rented gear will tell you more about what you want than 10 hours of YouTube reviews. Your first purchase after renting should be whatever caused you the most misery.

Get fitted for your pack in person if you possibly can. Pack fit is not like shoe fit — it's about torso length and hip measurement, not height or waist size. A pack that fits well carries 40 lbs like it's nothing; a pack that fits wrong makes 20 lbs feel brutal. Most outdoor shops will size you for free. It's worth the trip.

Don't go ultralight on your first trip. Ultralight gear is more expensive, more fragile, and requires you to know exactly what you're doing. A 35-lb starter kit is fine. You'll naturally go lighter as you figure out what you actually use and what stays in the bottom of your pack every time.

The gear

What you actually need

Hiker with large backpack on a rocky mountain trail

Photo by Alex Moliski on Unsplash

Backpack

Your pack is the most important piece of gear and the hardest to buy online without trying first. For 2–4 night trips, you want 45–55 liters of capacity. Beyond size, fit matters more than any feature: the hip belt should sit on your hip bones (not your waist), and the shoulder straps should follow the curve of your shoulders without gaps. Almost every major brand makes a solid entry-level pack in the $150–200 range. The differences between them are real but small. The right size for your torso is not negotiable.

Backpack — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

40–45L (Weekend Pack)

Right-sized for 1–2 nights. Forces discipline with what you carry.

Capacity
40–45 liters
Trip length
1–2 nights
Pack weight
2.0–2.5 lbs

Best for Minimalist packers, warm-weather trips, experienced beginners

Tradeoff No room for error — every item has to earn its spot

50–55L (Standard Starter)

Enough room to learn without cramming. The default first pack.

Capacity
50–55 liters
Trip length
2–4 nights
Pack weight
2.5–3.5 lbs

Best for Most beginners, 3-season trips up to 4 nights

Tradeoff Slightly heavier than 40L packs; tempts you to overpack

↓ See our pick
60–75L (Extended Trips)

For trips 5+ nights or cold-weather camping with bulkier gear.

Capacity
60–75 liters
Trip length
5+ nights
Pack weight
3.5–5 lbs

Best for Multi-week trips, winter backpacking, thru-hiking sections

Tradeoff Heavy when full; not what you want for your first trip

Best starter
Osprey

Osprey Atmos AG 50 (Men's) / Aura AG 50 (Women's)

$$$

Osprey's Anti-Gravity suspension system genuinely works — the tensioned mesh back panel keeps air between you and the pack, which matters on day two when your back is tired. The Atmos/Aura comes in multiple torso sizes, fits a wide range of bodies well, and at around $270 it's a serious pack that will last you a decade. The most recommended beginner pack among trip leaders for a reason.

Watch out for: Order by torso size, not S/M/L. Measure from the top of your hip bone to the C7 vertebra at the base of your neck. The size chart is accurate.

See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Teton Sports

Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Pack

$

At around $80, this is the pack for someone who's not sure backpacking will stick. It fits most bodies reasonably well, holds enough for a 2-night trip, and won't devastate you if you decide it's not your thing. Not as comfortable over 10+ miles as the Osprey, but it gets you on trail without a $300 commitment.

Watch out for: The hip belt doesn't transfer weight as efficiently as higher-end packs. Keep your load under 30 lbs if possible.

See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Osprey

Osprey Exos 58 (Men's) / Eja 58 (Women's)

$$$

When you're ready to go lighter — usually after a few trips when you know what you're doing — the Exos/Eja cuts about a pound off the Atmos/Aura while keeping the same excellent fit. At around 2.5 lbs, it's the pack most serious 3-season backpackers land on before going full ultralight. Worth it once you've logged 5–6 nights out.

See on Amazon →
a man kneeling down next to a yellow tent

Photo by Chaewool Kim on Unsplash

Shelter

A backpacking tent does not need to be fancy — it needs to keep you dry and stand up in wind. For 3-season trips (spring through fall, not winter), you want a double-wall tent: an inner mesh body for ventilation and a separate rainfly that keeps precipitation off. Single-wall tents and tarps are lighter but less forgiving and not where you want to start. Budget $150–250 for a tent that will be comfortable, reliable, and not humiliating to set up in the dark.

Best starter
Kelty

Kelty Wireless 2 Person Tent

$$

Kelty has made reliable gear for decades, and the Wireless 2 is built for first trips: a true double-wall tent with mesh inner, separate rainfly, two doors, and two vestibules for wet gear. Color-coded poles make setup intuitive even after dark. It'll keep you dry in real rain and stand up in wind. At around $150, it's a genuine tent at a fair price.

Watch out for: At 5 lbs it's not a ultralight tent. Still very manageable for most trips — the weight tradeoff buys you setup simplicity and liveable interior space.

See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Naturehike

Naturehike Mongar 2 Person Backpacking Tent

$

At around $100, the Naturehike Mongar is the value pick for someone not ready to commit to a $150+ tent. Double-wall construction, freestanding, easy Y-frame setup, and legitimately weatherproof for 3-season conditions. It's a no-frills tent that gets the job done — which is exactly what you need your first year.

Watch out for: Slightly snugger interior than the Kelty; fine for one person comfortable for two only if you're not gear-heavy.

See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Big Agnes

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

$$$$

Once you've logged a few trips and weight starts to matter, the Copper Spur is where most serious backpackers land. Under 3 lbs for a 2-person tent, genuinely comfortable inside, and built to last. You'll pay around $500 for it, but you'll carry it for years. Wait until you know backpacking is your thing before pulling the trigger.

See on Amazon →
orange camping tent near green trees

Photo by Scott Goodwill on Unsplash

Sleep System

Your sleep system is two things: a sleeping bag (or quilt) and a sleeping pad. Most beginners focus on the bag and underweight the pad — this is a mistake. Half your insulation comes from below you, and a thin pad lets cold ground steal your warmth no matter how good your bag is. For 3-season conditions (down to about 25°F at night), a 20°F rated bag and a pad with an R-value of 3 or higher is the standard starting point.

Best starter
TETON Sports

TETON Sports LEEF 0°F Ultralight Mummy Sleeping Bag

$$

Rated to 0°F but genuinely comfortable in 3-season conditions, this bag hits the sweet spot for new backpackers: warm enough to cover nearly any trip you'll take your first year, light enough to not be a burden, and priced around $120. The mummy shape is the right call for warmth — the extra fabric of a rectangular bag is wasted weight.

Watch out for: Synthetic fill packs larger than down. It'll take up more of your pack than an equivalent down bag. Still well within reason for a starter kit.

See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Therm-a-Rest

Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout Sleeping Pad

$$

R-value of 3.4, self-inflating, and around $70. Not the lightest pad on the market, but it's comfortable enough to actually sleep on and durable enough to last years of trips. Therm-a-Rest has been making sleeping pads since the 1970s and they know what they're doing. Don't underestimate how much your pad matters — this one earns its place in your kit.

See on Amazon →
Copper cezve brewing coffee on a portable stove outdoors

Photo by Yasin Onuş on Unsplash

Cooking System

Backcountry cooking does not have to be complicated. The standard beginner setup is a canister stove, a titanium pot, and a lighter — total weight under a pound, total cost around $50–70. You don't need a multi-burner setup, a cast iron skillet, or a French press (yes, people bring French presses). Boil water, rehydrate meals, make coffee. That's it for the first dozen trips.

Best starter
MSR

MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove

$$

The PocketRocket 2 is the standard canister stove for a reason: 73 grams, boils a liter in 3.5 minutes, fits on any isobutane canister, and costs around $45. It's reliable in cold and windy conditions, packs into a stuff sack smaller than your fist, and works exactly as advertised. Buy this, buy a 110g fuel canister, and stop thinking about stoves.

See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
MSR

MSR Titan Kettle (0.85L)

$$

A titanium pot is overkill until it isn't — at 4.4 oz it saves you half a pound versus an aluminum pot, and on a long trip that difference is real. The 0.85L size is right for one person boiling water for a freeze-dried meal; pair it with the PocketRocket and you have a complete cook kit under 6 oz.

See on Amazon →
Budget pick
BRS

BRS-3000T Ultra-Light Titanium Stove

$

At around $15, the BRS-3000T is the budget cult classic — 25 grams and a reliable flame on a calm day. The tradeoff is that it's less wind-resistant than the PocketRocket and the pot supports are narrower. Fine for a beginner who wants to test backcountry cooking without spending $45 on a stove first.

Watch out for: Struggles in wind. If you're camping in exposed terrain, spend the extra $30 for the PocketRocket.

See on Amazon →
man in yellow and black jacket sitting on rock in river during daytime

Photo by Matthew Cabret on Unsplash

Water Treatment

You cannot drink untreated backcountry water without risking Giardia, and Giardia will ruin your life for a few weeks. There are three good options: a filter (Sawyer Squeeze is the standard), chemical treatment (Aquatabs are the lightest backup), or a UV pen (SteriPen works great but needs batteries). Most backpackers carry a filter as their primary method and a few Aquatabs as an emergency backup. This is not optional gear.

Best starter
Sawyer

Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System

$

The Sawyer Squeeze and Mini are the most popular backcountry filters in the world, and for good reason: 2 oz, filters 100,000 gallons, removes 99.99999% of bacteria and protozoa including Giardia, and costs around $30. Nothing simpler exists at this weight. Squeeze water from a dirty source bag through the filter directly into your mouth or bottle. That's it. Every serious backpacker has one.

Watch out for: Freezing destroys the hollow fiber membrane permanently. Don't leave it in a cold car or your pack's outer pocket on a winter night.

See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Katadyn

Katadyn BeFree Water Filter Bottle

$$

The BeFree integrates the filter and bottle into one system — fill from any source, screw on the cap, drink. No separate bags, no threading parts together when you're tired. Around $45 and barely heavier than the Sawyer. If you want the simplest possible setup and don't mind the slightly higher price, this is it.

See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first weekend of backpacking

Most people overthink the preparation and underthink the fundamentals. Here's what actually happens — day by day — between loading your pack and cooking breakfast at a backcountry campsite.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • An ultralight quilt — Quilts are lighter than sleeping bags but require you to manage your insulation actively. Learn to sleep warm in a mummy bag first. When your bag starts to feel heavy, that's when to look at quilts.
  • Trekking poles — A lot of backpackers swear by them, and they do reduce knee strain on descents. But for your first few trips, they're optional gear that takes up headspace. Get the Big Three sorted first.
  • A personal locator beacon (PLB) — Important for remote or serious terrain, unnecessary for popular established trails. Plan your first trips on well-traveled routes, tell someone your itinerary, and add a PLB when you graduate to more remote areas.
  • A bear canister — Required in some wilderness areas (check regulations for your specific destination), but not a day-one purchase everywhere. Hang your food with the PCT hang method until you know where you're going and what's required.
  • Freeze-dried meal variety packs — They're expensive. For your first trip, bring a few Mountain House pouches to try, but also know that instant oatmeal, tortillas, peanut butter, and ramen are just as easy and cost a third as much.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Plan a 2-night trip on a well-traveled trail within a few hours of home. AllTrails is the easiest starting point — filter by 'backpacking' and look for beginner-rated routes with established campsites. · Action
  2. Get fitted for your pack in person at an REI or local outdoor shop. Bring or wear the socks and any insoles you plan to hike in. · Action
  3. Order the Sawyer MINI — it's the most important piece of safety gear and the easiest to overlook until you're standing next to a stream. · Buy
  4. Check permit requirements for your planned trail. Many popular wilderness areas require permits that book out weeks or months in advance. · Action
  5. Do a shakedown overnight in your backyard or at a car campsite before your first trail trip. Set up your tent, cook on the stove, sleep in the bag. Discovering your stove leaks at home beats discovering it 8 miles in. · Action
  6. Print your trail map or download it offline — phone batteries die, and cell service doesn't exist in most wilderness areas. · Learn
FAQ

Common questions

How much does a beginner backpacking kit cost?

Realistically $350–600 if you're buying all the core gear new: pack ($150–270), tent ($130–220), sleeping bag ($80–130), sleeping pad ($50–90), stove and pot ($60), water filter ($30). You can shave significantly by renting the Big Three first, buying used, or borrowing from friends.

How fit do I need to be to start backpacking?

More fit than a casual hiker, less fit than you probably think. If you can hike 8–10 miles in a day without stopping constantly, you can backpack. The weight on your back is the variable — start with lighter loads (under 30 lbs) and shorter distances (5–8 miles per day) while you build strength.

What's the difference between hiking and backpacking?

Hiking is a day activity — you return to your car and a bed. Backpacking is multi-day travel carrying everything you need: shelter, sleep system, food, water treatment, and safety gear. The essential skills overlap, but backpacking adds camp craft, navigation, and leave-no-trace considerations.

Do I need a permit for my first backpacking trip?

Depends entirely on where you go. Many popular wilderness areas (Yosemite, Rocky Mountain NP, Olympic) require permits that book weeks or months in advance. Less-trafficked national forests often have no permit requirement. Check recreation.gov and the specific ranger district website for your destination before you plan dates.

How do I handle food and wildlife?

Proper food storage is a safety issue, not just a courtesy. In bear country, you need a bear canister (required in some areas) or a proper hang (PCT method). In most established campgrounds, use provided bear boxes. Never store food in your tent. Check the specific regulations for wherever you're going.

Is backpacking safe for a complete beginner?

Yes, on appropriate terrain with appropriate preparation. Start on well-traveled trails with established campsites, tell someone your plan and expected return, carry the Ten Essentials, and don't push mileage goals on your first trip. The risks are real but manageable — most backpacking accidents happen when people go too far too fast.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • Leave No Trace Center — The foundational ethics and practices of backcountry travel. Read the 7 Principles before your first trip.
  • Recreation.gov — Federal lands permit booking. Check here first for any trip to a National Park or designated wilderness area.
  • AllTrails — The largest trail database. Crowdsourced reviews, photos, and offline maps. The Pro subscription is worth it for downloaded offline maps.
  • Gaia GPS — More powerful topo mapping tool used by serious backpackers and search and rescue. Free tier is useful; the paid tier adds downloadable offline maps.
  • REI Expert Advice — Backpacking — REI's beginner guides are genuinely good — honest about what you need and when. Not a sales pitch dressed as content.
  • The Trek — Community site focused on long-distance hiking and backpacking. Trip reports, gear reviews, and honest accounts of what it's actually like to walk for days. Skews toward thru-hiking but the gear content applies to all backpackers.
  • r/ultralight — Not for your first kit, but invaluable once you've got a few trips under your belt and want to understand gear tradeoffs. The wiki is excellent.
  • r/backpacking — More beginner-friendly than r/ultralight. Good trip planning advice and gear questions answered quickly.
  • Yosemite Decimal System — Understanding trail ratings before you pick your first route. The difference between Class 1 and Class 3 matters a lot.
Hiker with backpack on rocky outcrop overlooking forest

Photo by Harri P on Unsplash

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